The Delhi High Court has set up a new Bench to address the CBI’s challenge against the discharge of AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, in the excise policy case. Justice Manoj Jain will now oversee the CBI’s revision petition regarding the trial court’s decision to discharge the accused. Another Division Bench will handle the criminal contempt case against the AAP leaders, scheduled for Tuesday.
The recent developments follow Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma’s recusal from the case due to criminal contempt proceedings. The High Court observed a coordinated social media campaign aimed at scandalizing the judiciary in connection with the excise policy case. The Court emphasized the importance of fair criticism without undermining public confidence in the judiciary.
Justice Sharma clarified that the contempt proceedings were not based on personal grievances but on upholding judicial integrity. The transfer of the main excise policy case to another Bench was deemed necessary for judicial propriety following the initiation of contempt proceedings. The Court emphasized that the transfer should not be seen as succumbing to recusal demands but as a step to address organized assaults on the judiciary.
The contempt proceedings stemmed from alleged defamatory material circulated against Justice Sharma on social media. Instead of challenging the recusal order through proper channels, the accused individuals resorted to social media to question the judge’s impartiality. The trial court’s decision to discharge all accused persons was based on the lack of evidence establishing an overarching conspiracy in the excise policy case.
